US tariffs on agricultural exports could be leveraged as an edge if they are lower than the levies on other countries’ exports, Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) said yesterday, adding that the government would continue to negotiate for more tariff exemptions.
The Executive Yuan on Friday said it had reached an agreement with the US to lower tariffs on Taiwanese goods from 20 percent to 15 percent, without stacking them on existing most-favored-nation rates.
Chen said the pressure on exporters have largely decreased after the tariff rate dropped to 15 percent from the initial 32 percent in April last year.
Photo: CNA
The agreement is expected to restore the competitiveness of Taiwanese tea and moth orchids, he said, adding that the exports to the US could increase if other competitors’ tariff rates are higher.
For example, the total quantity and revenue of Taiwan’s mahi-mahi exports to the US last year were higher than the previous year, Chen said.
The government would continue to negotiate with Washington for tariff exemptions on other agricultural exports, he added.
Regarding US exports to Taiwan, Chen said the government would prioritize food security, domestic industry stability and farmers’ needs during negotiations.
“We never based negotiations on a ‘zero tariff’ principle, as tariff rates for different goods must be discussed thoroughly and separately,” he said.
Chen made the remarks on the sidelines of an event promoting domestic pork at Taipei’s Hope Plaza.
A section for pork brands was set up at the farmers’ market over the weekend.
Family activities such as making sausages, dumplings or pork balls, as well as food and agricultural education-related challenges would also continue to be held today.
Chan I Shan Foods Co chairman Chen Kuo-hsun (陳國訓) said Taiwanese pork had a “golden” time before the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 1997, during which about 13.5 million pigs were slaughtered in Taiwan annually and frozen pork exports amounted to 270,000 tonnes.
Taiwan’s warm weather is good for farming pigs in well-ventilated environments instead of enclosed facilities, he said, adding that that is the key to the fresh flavor of Taiwanese pork.
More than 400 tonnes of pork were exported to the Philippines in 2024 and about 300 tonnes to Singapore last year, he added.
The agriculture minister said that the farmers’ market at the plaza usually focused on crops and fishery products.
Pork products were included for the first time and they attracted many customers, he said
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
STAY COOL: The HPA recommended that people stay hydrated, use air-conditioning or fans while indoors, wear loose-fitting clothes and walk in the shade while outdoors Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday. Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said. Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said. Under the Ministry of
NATIONAL SECURITY: Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the military personnel involved and investigating possible illegal conduct and regulatory violations Authorities are probing possible national security implications after Kinmen police and immigration officers on Sunday found a Chinese woman allegedly posing as a tourist while engaging in prostitution involving more than 10 military personnel. The woman, surnamed Chen (陳), has since been deported, authorities said, adding that investigators are still working to confirm the identities of those implicated, as the records only listed code names and aliases. The case stemmed from a report received by the Kinmen District Prosecutors’ Office on Friday last week from the Jinhu Precinct of the Kinmen County Police Bureau. On Sunday, police, along with the National Immigration
RSS